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"Better health and education alleviates the calls for service from police."

Additional funding will also be provided for victim support services, community law centres and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

Over the next four years $13.4m will be spent to increase the age of people who can be dealt with in the youth justice system to 17.

A total of $57.6m has been set aside with the aim to reduce New Zealand's prison population by 30 per cent over the next 15 years.

Highlights for emergency services and justice in Budget 2018:• $298.8m in new operating funding and $17.8m capital for police over the next four years.• New operating funding also replaces radio equipment for emergency services in 2018/19.• Funding for the project totals $17.4m, of which $11.6m is allocated to the police, $2m to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and $3.7m to St John Ambulance.• Victim support services will get $13.5m extra operating funding over four years.• Community Law Centres will receive a boost of nearly 20 per cent – $2.2m extra operating funding in 2018/19 • The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) is receiving $2.7m extra operating funding over the next four years for more staff and IT. • $13.4m over four years to Vote Courts for youth justice to increase the age of people who can be dealt with in the youth justice system to 17.